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I'm very sorry to hear this news. Harlan is one of those friends I never see but think of often. When I wrote to him as a fan ages ago, praising his Star Trek episode, "The City on the Edge of Forever," I was surprised that he not only wrote back but sent a copy of his original teleplay. He since has either hired me or been instrumental in getting me work, and I've eaten his homemade chili and survived.
It isn't so much that we can point to specific rights we enjoy as writers that we would not have without Harlan's advocacy, but he has consistently voiced (in the strongest possible terms) writers' concerns and argued for Hollywood to give them the respect and money they deserve. He has always railed against rip-off publishers and insidious clauses in publishing contracts, educating writers and wising them up to the ways and whys and hows of those who would exploit them and their work.
Harlan is an extremist, undoubtedly. But he is a kind and generous and cordial extremist to those who treat him (and other writers) with honesty and forthrightness. He does not suffer fools or bullshitters. At all.
Love him or hate him, IMO the world is a better and more interesting place with Harlan in it.
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